Wallowa Lake rests in the shadow of the majestic Wallowa Mountains, just north of the town of Joseph. Formed by a glacier roughly nine million years ago, the lake is five-miles long, a mile wide, and reaches depths of nearly 300 feet. Wallowa Lake’s beauty and recreational possibilities have been recognized for generations; the first hotel, restaurants and dance hall were established here in 1880! Today, visitors come to fish for the lake’s kokanee and rainbow trout, to waterski and even parasail. (The Wallowa River, which feeds and drains from Wallowa Lake, is also popular with trout anglers.) The Eagle Cap Wilderness Area borders the lake on the south, and offers tremendous hiking opportunities; mini golf, go-karts and paddle boats are available nearby for kids young and old. If you want to scale a mountain but aren’t quite ready for a climb, the Wallowa Lake Tramway climbs 3,700 feet to the summit of Mount Howard, at 8,150 feet. Marina services, camping and lodging are available at the lake.

Courtesy of “Boating in Oregon” by Oregon State Marine Board